Editorial: Ordinary folk did something remarkable

Barry and Kristin Loggenberg.

The actions and efforts of motorists who stop to help at crash scenes are often unsung, so it was a privilege for the Advocate to speak with Barry and Kristin Loggenberg this week.

The Loggenbergs are from Auckland and were heading north to a family bach at Taupo Bay on Saturday, April 30, when they happened upon a fatal car crash.

They performed CPR on Kylee-Ann Rakich, who was heavily pregnant and badly injured. And when paramedics took over, Mrs Loggenberg held the hand of Virginia Keogh, talking to her until she was removed from the back seat of a damaged car.

Not all of us would be capable in these situations, of helping people. For some, the sight of an accident is enough to evoke panic.

The Loggenbergs provided comfort to the people fatally injured in the crash, there is no doubt.

And they were devastated, having left the scene, to discover later that sadly, Virginia Keogh had passed away. They thought she was going to be OK.

We hope that the Loggenbergs, and any other motorists who stopped to help, are OK.

When the Advocate's Lindy Laird visited the couple at Taupo Bay, Mr Loggenberg had physical scars of his efforts to reach Kylee-Ann.

And the couple was aware of the psychological scars that such an experience can cause, and took extra time on their holiday before heading home.

It would no doubt have been an emotional drive past the crash scene, as they headed back to Auckland.

But they should also feel content that they did what they could for the victims of the crash.